Military hat construction

ABSTRACT

A military or uniform hat comprising a frame having an annular headband and visor connected thereto. A stay is connected to the frame and extends outwardly, above the visor so as to at least partially define a frontal portion of the hat. The stay includes an elongated channel formed rearward of a front face of the stay and structured to enclose and support at least a portion of the length of a grommet used to support an at least partially configure a cover of the hat. The stay includes an at least partially smooth, substantially uninterrupted front surface and oppositely disposed open ends of the channel cooperatively configured to eliminate or significantly reduce the possibility of any unsightly deformations, protrusions, etc. observable on the portion of the cover overlying the stay and/or frontal portion of the military hat.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

The present application is based on and a claim of priority is made under 35 U.S.C. Section 119(e) to a provisional patent application that is currently pending in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, namely, that having Ser. No. 61/601,805 and a filing date of Feb. 22, 2012, and which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

A military hat comprising a frame including a head band and a grommet used to support and at least partially configure a flexible material covering for the hat. The invention includes a stay that defines a frontal portion of the hat along with a visor, and is structured to support the grommet in a manner which enables a front surface of the stay to be substantially smooth and to offer a substantially uninterrupted appearance, for purposes of eliminating any disfiguring or unsightly protrusions which might be observed on the material covering the front portions of the hat, especially above the visor.

2. Description of the Related Art

Military hats and in particular, uniform hats of the type worn by military personnel in the United States, and throughout many countries of the world, have been extensively used for many years. These types of hats typically include a frame and a visor formed of an at least partially or semi-rigid material that extends outwardly from a front portion or frame of the hat. Most often, a fabric material or other typically flexible material is disposed in overlying relation to the frame of the military hat so as to cover the exposed and interior portions thereof, and to protect the head of the wearer from the surrounding elements, to at least some extent. It is also common to dispose a symbolic or decorative emblem, awards, indicia or other representation on an exterior surface of the front portion of the hat above the visor and in clear view so that one's position and importance can readily be gleaned.

One example of such a uniform hat or military cap construction is disclosed and described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,097,934 to Bernard Weinstein, a named inventor herein, which issued in 1978. As disclosed, the frame of this hat includes an annular, flexible but rigid material “stretching band” disposed to extend along the upper or outer periphery of the cover so as to facilitate the support and shaping thereof. This stretching band is supported by a stay structure disposed on the hat frame and at least partially defining the frontal portion thereof. Support and intended positioning of the stretching band is accomplished through the provision of a band holder. As clearly represented of FIG. 8 of this patent, a band support structure is connected to the upper or outer periphery of the stay by stitching or other appropriate connection. The stretching band passes through the interior of this supporting structure so as to be properly positioned for the support, stretching and/or configuring of the overlying cover.

While this type of uniform or military hat construction is well accepted and may still be in wide use, one possible disadvantage associated therewith is the structuring or forming of the stretch band holder in a manner which extends over and/or onto the front surface or face of the supporting stay. As a result, at least a portion of the band holder projects into and thereby visually deforms to some minor extent, the portion of the cover which overlies the stay. Accordingly, when viewing the front portion of the hat, some detectable deformation and/or imperfections, such as crease(s) are clearly visible. This, in turn, detracts from the intended and preferred smooth and “clean” or uninterrupted appearance of the front of the uniform hat, and perhaps especially as well as from the decorative or symbolic emblem or indicia form thereon.

Accordingly, there is a need in this field of art for a uniform hat and/or military hat having an improved construction that is capable of eliminating or significantly reducing the possibility of visual imperfections appearing in the front covering on the hat disposed above the visor. If any hat were made with such an improved construction, the hat would also still provide stable, reliable support for and at least partially configure the overlying cover as it extends about the interior and upper periphery thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is intended to present a solution to these and other needs that remain in this field of art, and as such, is directed to a uniform or military hat construction comprising a frame typically including an annular headband. In addition, a visor formed of a substantially rigid material extends outwardly from and at least partially defines a frontal portion of the frame. The stay is connected to the frame substantially adjacent to the visor so as to extend outwardly or upwardly there from. As such the stay also at least partially defines a frontal portion of the frame and the military hat.

A grommet comprises a metallic or other appropriate material band formed into a somewhat annular configuration and connected in supported relation on the stay. As typically disposed and structured, the grommet is used to support a fabric or other flexible material cover which extends over the top and front of the hat frame in at least partially enclosing relation to the interior thereof. Moreover, a front portion of the cover extends over a front surface of the stay and may have an emblem or other structure connected to the frame in overlying relation to an outer surface of the cover, which overlies the stay. Therefore, the grommet serves not only to support the flexible material cover above the frame, but also serves to stretch and/or configure a peripheral portion of the cover which overlies the interior of the military hat, when assembled.

Additional structural features of the military hat construction of the present invention include at least one preferred embodiment of the stay comprising an elongated channel formed on a rear face of and extending along and in adjacent relation to an upper or outer most periphery of the stay. It is to be understood that as used herein, the term “outer or upper”, when referring to the periphery of the stay, is intended to describe the peripheral portion of the stay which is spaced from and substantially oppositely disposed to the visor.

The channel is structured to support and at least partially enclose a portion of the length of the grommet so as to maintain the grommet in supporting, configuring relation to the flexible material cover. Cooperative structural features of the stay and channel serve to support and position the grommet in a manner which defines a front surface or face of the stay as having an at least partially smooth and/or substantially uninterrupted configuration. Accordingly, the uninterrupted configuration of the front face of the stay serves to eliminate of significantly reduce the possibility of observable, unintended deformations or disfigurements of the front portion of the cover which overlies the front surface of the stay above the visor. Such observable deformations of military or uniform hats are known to exist in conventional hat structures and may be caused by portions of the stay and/or grommet support which inadvertently disfigure the frontal portion of the flexible material cover. As a result, the overall appearance of the military hat specifically including, but not limited to the frontal portion thereof, is significantly enhanced.

Additional structural features of one or more preferred embodiments of the stay include the supporting channel having oppositely disposed open ends through which grommet is positioned, when supported on the stay. Moreover, each of the oppositely disposed open ends of the channel comprises both a front end segment and a rear end segment. As such, the front end segment is recessed inwardly along the length of the channel relative to the rear end segment. As a result, unsightly protrusions or projections underlying the front portion of the cover which might be visually observable when viewing the front of the hat are eliminated. As a result and as set forth above the frontal portion of the hat cover will provide a clean, uninterrupted appearance by eliminating any projections or protrusions which would normally be present utilizing a stay construction of known or conventional design.

In addition, the visually clean, uninterrupted appearance of the front portion of the cover is also at least partially the result of the structure and position of the channel and the grommet supported thereby. More specifically, the channel is disposed rearward of the front face or on or adjacent the rear face of the stay as set forth in greater detail hereinafter. Therefore, the structure and disposition of the channel facilitates the support of the grommet by passing a portion of its length through the channel and though the oppositely disposed open ends of the channel. As a result, the grommet is disposed in an overlying orientation of the rear end segments of the open ends and a concurrent underlying orientation relative to the front end segments of the oppositely disposed open ends.

Further, in at least one preferred embodiment the stay is formed of a plastic material being at least somewhat flexible but having sufficient rigidity to define the upstanding frontal portion of the military hat as it at least partially supports the cover via the grommet. In this preferred embodiment the stay is formed of a front panel and a rear panel disposed in overlying relation to one another. The overlying panels are interconnected at least by an elongated peripheral connecting seam extending along the outer or upper longitudinal periphery of the stay. Also, the front and rear panels of the stay also may be secured in overlying relation to one another by a plurality of additional seams spaced from one another and from the peripheral connecting seam.

Yet another preferred embodiment of the stay includes a construction which is operationally similar, at least in terms of supporting the grommet in the intended position. Also, this additional preferred embodiment of the stay provides a clean visual appearance of the frontal portion of the military hat when fully assembled, by the elimination of any protrusions, projections or like disfiguring structure which may be unintentionally viewed when looking at the front portion of the hat. As such, at least one preferred embodiment of the stay may be formed of at least one panel having a supporting channel secured to a rear face or surface thereof. More specifically, the channel includes an outer or upper connecting seam and an inner or lower connecting seam. Both the upper and lower seams extend continuously along the length of the channel and terminate at the oppositely disposed open ends. As with the other preferred embodiment of the stay described above, the opposite open ends of the channel may include a recessed front end segment in order to avoid any unsightly projections, protrusions, etc. when viewing the front portion of the military hat. Depending upon the material from which the stay is formed, the spaced apart connecting seams can be formed by a stitching type connection.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become clearer when the drawings as well as the detailed description are taken into consideration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view and partial phantom of a military hat construction incorporating one preferred embodiment of a grommet supporting stay.

FIG. 2 is a front plan view of the stay of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a left side view of the embodiment of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a right side view of the embodiment of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the embodiment of FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is a rear plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 2.

FIG. 8 is a front plan view of yet another preferred embodiment of the stay which may be incorporated in the military hat construction of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a left side view of the embodiment of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is a right side view of the embodiment of FIG. 8.

FIG. 12 is a bottom view of the embodiment of FIG. 8.

FIG. 13 is a rear view of the embodiment of FIG. 8.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As represented in the accompanying Figures, the present invention is directed to a military hat construction generally indicated as 10 in FIG. 1 and comprising a frame generally indicated as 12. The frame 12 of the military or uniform type hat 10 includes a headband 14, best shown in FIG. 1, that preferably, but not necessarily, has a continuous annular configuration. In addition, the frame 12 includes a visor 16 extending outwardly there from and at least partially defining a frontal portion, generally indicated as 18 of the military hat construction 10.

In addition, and as best shown in FIG. 1, but also in FIGS. 2-7, the frame 12 includes a stay 20 defining a part of the frame 12 and connected to and extending outwardly or upwardly from the headband 14. As used herein, the term “upwardly”, “upper”, “lower”, etc. refers to the position of the described structure or component of the hat construction 10 or frame 12, when worn and/or when in the orientation as appears in FIG. 1.

Accordingly, the stay 20 is connected to the frame 12 and extends upwardly or outwardly from the headband 14 and visor 16 so as to at least partially define the frontal portion 18 of the military hat construction 10. In such a frontal position, the stay 20 is also structured to support and position a grommet 22. The grommet 22 is conventionally used to support and at least partially configure an overlying fabric or other flexible material cover (not shown) disposed in overlying relation to the frame 12. As is known, the flexible material cover is disposed in covering relation to the grommet 22 as well as the stay 20 and is at least partially supported thereby. Accordingly, the cover at least partially encloses the top/outer periphery and interior portions of the frame 12 of the hat 10. In addition, the cover will typically include a front portion which overlies substantially the entire front face or surface 34 of the stay 20, in a manner and position which also at least partially defines the front 18 of the frame 12 of the hat construction 10, when assembled. As a result, the frontal portion of the cover is clearly observable when viewing the military hat 10 as worn or as disposed in an upright orientation, such as represented in FIG. 1.

As is perhaps also best illustrated in FIG. 1, additional structural features of the stay 20 include the provision of a channel 24 through which at least a portion of the length of the grommet 22 passes, while being supported in its intended position by the stay 20. With primary reference to the embodiment of FIGS. 2 through 7, structural and operative features of the stay 20 include it being preferably formed of a two-ply construction, and further, including a front panel 26 and a rear panel 28. Both of the panels 26 and 28 are preferably formed of a plastic material having at least a minimal amount of flexibility to accommodate the overall curved configuration of the front 18 of the military cap 10. However, the plastic material from which the stay 20 is formed also has sufficient rigidity to maintain an upstanding, stable orientation when the hat 10 is fully assembled and the grommet 22 is disposed in supporting and configuring relation to the overlying cover. To this end, the plastic material from which the front and rear panels 26 and 28 are formed may be a polyethylene material facilitating the overlying structuring of the panels 26 and 28 relative to one another. In addition and as represented throughout the indicated Figures, the panels 26 and 28 are substantially equally dimensioned and configured at least in terms of their common, overlying portions.

Interconnection of the front and rear panels 26 and 28 is accomplished through the provision of a connecting seam generally indicated as 30, best shown in FIG. 2, and a plurality of other connecting seams 32 disposed in spaced relation to one another and to the primary, peripheral connecting seam 30. In addition, at least a portion of the remainder of the periphery of the interconnected front and rear panels 26 and 28 may be interconnected to one another by additional peripheral connecting seams 30′, wherein the various connecting seams may be formed by heat sealing, sonic welding, etc. As further represented in FIGS. 3 through 6, the formed interconnecting seals 30, 30′, 32, etc. are sufficient so as to not significantly extend outwardly from the front face or surface 34 of the front panel 26. Accordingly, one feature of the embodiment of the stay 20, as represented in FIGS. 1 through 7, is the provision of an at least partially smooth or substantially uninterrupted front face or surface 34. As will be described in greater detail hereinafter, such an uninterrupted surface configuration provides a clean visual appearance of the portion of the cover which overlies the stay 20 and more specifically the front face or surface 34 thereof, when the cover is fully mounted on or attached to the frame 12 in the intended manner.

Further with regard to the channel 24, the upper or outer periphery thereof is at least partially defined by the peripheral connecting seam 30. The lower or inner boundary may be defined by a plurality of seam segments 33 collectively extending along the lower boundary of the channel 24. Further, while in one preferred embodiment of the stay 20, the lower peripheral segments 33 are disposed in spaced relation to one another, they may be replaced by a substantially continuous lower or inner connecting seam 33 similar to the construction of the outer or upper peripheral connecting seam 30. Accordingly, the outer or upper periphery of the channel 24 coincides with the connecting seam 30, which in turn defines the upper or outer periphery of the stay 24. This construction further facilitates the provision of an at least partially smooth and substantially uninterrupted outer surface or face 34 of the front panel 26.

Yet additional features of the stay 20 and more specifically, the channel 24, include the channel 24 having a substantially closed configuration extending continuously along and adjacent to the upper/outer periphery thereof, which is coincident to the connecting seam 30 thereof. This closed configuration extends continuously between oppositely disposed open ends 40 and 42. In addition, each of the opposite open ends includes a rear end segment 44 and a front end segment 44′. As such, when the grommet 22 is disposed on the interior of the channel 24, it will be disposed in somewhat overlying, covering relation to the rear end segments 44. In contrast, the front end segments 44′ are disposed in overlying relation to protruding portions of the grommet 22 as it is passed through corresponding open ends 40 and 42. Therefore, as should be apparent the front end segments 44′ of the opposite open ends 40 and 42 are recessed inwardly along the length of the channel 24 substantially towards the center thereof in relation to the outwardly extending rear end segments 44.

This structure serves to further enhance the visually smooth and “clean” or uninterrupted appearance of the front portion of the cover overlying the stay 20, by virtue of eliminating any projections or protrusions which may normally be disposed at the opposite open ends 40 and 42. As is recognized, if the front end segments 44′ were not recessed inwardly and disposed in overlying relation to outwardly extending portions of the grommet 22, the front of the hat 10 may include visually apparent creases, projections, etc.

With reference now to FIGS. 8 through 13, another preferred embodiment of the stay is generally indicated as 120. It is emphasized, that the intended scope of the present invention includes the military hat 10 and frame 12 incorporating the stay 120 or the stay 20. Therefore, the additional preferred embodiment of the stay 120 includes preferably a single panel 126 having an outer face or surface 134 and a rear or inner face or surface 136. The stay 120 also includes a channel 124 formed on the rear face or rear surface 136 of the panel 126, wherein the channel 124 includes oppositely disposed open ends 140 and 142. As with the embodiment of the stay as represented in FIGS. 1 through 7, the stay 120 may also include the opposite open ends 140 and 142 including a rear end segment 144 and a front end segment 144′. As such, the front end segment 144′ is recessed inwardly along the length of the channel 124 and towards the center thereof relative to the outwardly extending rear end channel 144′. As set forth above, the elimination of any possible projections or protrusion into the cover overlying the stay 120 will be eliminated, at least in part due to the inwardly directed recess of the front end segments 144′ of each of the opposite open ends 140 and 142.

Additional features of the channel 124 are its formation exclusively on the inner or rear surface or face 136 of the single panel 126, and its mounting or connection thereto by oppositely disposed upper and lower connecting seams 130 and 133. Due to the material and/or structural manufacturing preference, the seams 130 and 133 may be formed continuously between the opposite open ends 140 and 142 by a stitching type connection as should be apparent. As a result the front face or surface 134 of the stay 120 is also provided with an at least partially smooth, substantially uninterrupted surface configuration so as to facilitate a visually smooth or clean, uninterrupted presentation of the front portion 18 of the military hat 10 and more specifically, the portion of the cover which overlies the stay 120.

Additional structural features may be included in the stay 20 of the embodiments of FIGS. 1 through 7, or the stay 120, as represented in the embodiments of FIGS. 8 through 10. More specifically, as represented in FIGS. 2 and 7, the stay 20 may include a somewhat cut-out portion, generally indicated as 39. This cut-out portion 39 is disposed, dimensioned and configured to accommodate a reinforcing connector or other reinforcing member. Such reinforcement facilitates the connection and stability of the stay 20 as it is attached to the rest of the frame 12 and defines the upstanding, frontal portion 18.

With regard to the additional preferred embodiment of the stay 120, a connector as at 141 may be connected to and extend completely through the single panel 126 thereof. As such the connector 141 may serve to facilitate the connection of any symbolic or decorative emblem as it is attached to and viewable from the frontal portion 18 of the military hat 10 when fully assembled.

Since many modifications, variations and changes in detail can be made to the described preferred embodiment of the invention, it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.

Now that the invention has been described, 

What is claimed is:
 1. A military hat comprising: a frame including an annular headband and a visor connected to said headband, said visor extending outwardly from and at least partially defining a frontal portion of said frame, a stay connected to said frame and extending upwardly from said visor to further at least partially define said frontal portion of said frame, a grommet connected in supported relation to said stay and structured to support and at least partially configure a hat cover, said stay comprising an elongated channel formed on a rear face thereof and extending along and in adjacent relation to an outer periphery of said stay, said channel structured to support and enclose a portion of said grommet, said channel including oppositely disposed open ends and an at least partially closed configuration extending along the length thereof between said open ends, and each of said open ends comprising a front end segment and a rear end segment; each front end segment recessed inwardly along the length of said channel relative to a corresponding rear end segment.
 2. A military hat as recited in claim 1 wherein said stay comprises a front face having a substantially uninterrupted configuration extending between at least said headband and said outer periphery.
 3. An assembly as recited in claim 2 wherein said uninterrupted configuration is at least partially defined by said channel and said grommet contained therein disposed rearward of said front face on said rear face thereof.
 4. An assembly as recited in claim 3 wherein said closed configuration of said channel extends continuously between and terminates at said oppositely disposed open ends.
 5. An assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said rear end segment of each of said opposite open ends is disposed in underlying, covered relation to said grommet.
 6. An assembly as recited in claim 5 wherein said front end segment of each of said opposite ends is disposed in overlying, covering relation to a portion of said grommet.
 7. An assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said closed configuration of said channel extends continuously between and terminates at said oppositely disposed open ends.
 8. An assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said stay comprises a front panel and a rear panel disposed in overlying relation to one another, at least one connecting seam extending along said outer periphery of said stay in interconnecting relation to said front and rear panels.
 9. An assembly as recited in claim 8 wherein said channel is disposed between said front and rear panels rearward of a front face of said stay and adjacent said outer periphery and said connecting seam, said grommet disposed within said channel rearward of said front face of said front panel.
 10. An assembly as recited in claim 9 wherein said connecting seam is disposed and structured to define a longitudinal boundary of said channel.
 11. An assembly as recited in claim 9 wherein said connecting seam is disposed and structured to define an outer periphery of said channel, said connecting seam extending continuously along the length of said channel between and terminating at said front end segments of said opposite open ends.
 12. An assembly as recited in claim 11 wherein said outer periphery of said channel and said outer periphery of said stay coincide along the respective lengths thereof.
 13. An assembly as recited in claim 9 wherein said front and rear panels comprise a substantially common dimension and configuration over at least a majority of overlying portions thereof.
 14. An assembly as recited in claim 8 wherein said front and rear panels are formed of a plastic material; said one connecting seam defining a heat seal connection between said front and rear panels.
 15. An assembly as recited in claim 14 further comprising a plurality of seams disposed in spaced relation to one another and to said one connector seam and in interconnecting relation to said front and rear panels.
 16. An assembly as recited in claim 15 wherein said front and rear panels are formed of a plastic material; said one connecting seam defining a heat seal connection between said front and rear panels.
 17. An assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said channel is disposed on said rear face of said stay in segregated relation to a front face of said stay; an outer connecting seam and an inner connecting seam extending along the length of said channel and relatively disposed to define opposing longitudinal boundaries thereof.
 18. An assembly as recited in claim 17 wherein each of said outer and inner connecting seams comprise stitching. 